Jamin liohtenstein



7Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

J. E. SMITH.

MACHINE FOR BUNGHING GIGARS.

Patented Feb. 5, 1889 J I I l I l l l l| Wz'messes:

(No Model.) 4 7'SheetsSheet 2.

' J E.-SMITH.'

MACHINE FOR BUNGHING CIGARS.

No. 397,396,. Pa-tented Feb. 5., 1889.

N. PEYERs Phclwumognphnn Wilmington, 0.1;

7 Sheets-Sheet B.

(No Model.)

J. E. SMITH.

MACHINE FOR BUNGHING CIGARS.

ed Feb. 5, 1889.

lnvemor Wz'messes 7 Sheets-Sheet .4.

(No Model.)

J. E! SMITH.

MACHINE FOR BUNGHING CIGARS.

Patented lzz's Attorney.

N, PETERS, Photo-Lilhagmpher. Wnhiugwn. n. c.

(No Model.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 5. J. E. SMITH.

MACHINE FOR BUNGHING' CIGARS.

Patented 1 65.5, 1889..

Wzmesses. I

7 Sheets-Sheet 6.

lmjenfor his Altai my.-

74 m Pam Z (No Model.)

J. E. SMITH.

MACHINE FOR BUNGHING CIGARS.

Patented Feb. 5,1889.

Witnesses N PEIER$ Pnumumn n her. Washingiun. D. c.

(No Modl.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

J. E. SMITH. MACHINE FOB, BUNCH'ING GIGARS. No. 397,396. Patented'Peb.5, 1889.

wi IJV'V'E-N'TOR Attorney ernnr rricn.

JAMES EDlVARD SMITH, OF NEYV YORK, N. 'Y., ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNEASSIGNMENTS, OF 'llVO-THIRDS TO ADOLPH MOONELTS AND BEN- JAMINLIOHTENSTEIN, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHENE FOR BUNCHING CIGARS.

SPECIFICATION formin'gpart of Letters Patent No. 397,396, dated February5, 1889.

Application filed November 9, 1887. Serial No. 254,666. (No model.)

f all 1071,0721 it nmy concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES Enwimn Siirrn, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines forBunching Cigars; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figuresof reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to cigztr-bunchingmachines; and it consists of thenovel combination of devices and peculiar construction and arrangementof parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Among other things my invention has for its object to provide aciganbunching ma chine with a reciprocating carriage forreceiving atregular intervals one of a series of molds containing the fillers oftobacco from a feeding-table, and to hold the said molds in posii tionover an opening in the main table of the 3 machine for a v e rtically-reei procatin g plunger to pass through the mold and opening inthe table and carry the tiller to the rolling and pressing devices to beformed into a bunch; to provide mechanism for automatically moving thecarriage to discharge the empty mold after the filler has been removedtherefrom by the plunger and to return the said. carriage in position toreceive another tilled mold; to improve the construct ion of the plungerand adapt it to receive and hold the filler in proper posithm and duealignment while carrying it from the mold to the bunch rolling andpressing devices; to provide mechanism arranged to operate inconjunction with the plunger for positively tm'cing the filler well upinto the plunger when the latter passes through the opening in the maintable, and thereby prevent the cscape and waste of the filler; toprovide devices for positively and automatically ejecting the fillerfrom the plunger as t-helatter is elevated and noperly deposit thefiller on the rolling apron; to provide mechanism for feeding the moldsto the machine after they have been properly filled and. to carry theempty molds away after they have been discharged therefrom; and,finally, to improve the rolling and pressin devices for forming thebunch, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

1n the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a top plan view of acigar-bunching machine constructed in accordance with my presentinvention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the main table thereof, with thevertical powershaft in section and the carriage in position for a moldto align with the opening in the main table. Fig. 3 is a detail top planview of one of the plates, which is secured to the table over theopening therein, showing the position of the pressure-lingers forentering the plunger and forcing the "tiller up into the same. Fig. 4 isa detail vertical sectional view of the plate shown in Fig. 3, showingthe pressure fingers in elevation and the guards for the plunger. Fig. 5is an end elevation of the entire machine, with the feedin g-table andcarriage removed therefrom. Fig. 0 is a side elevation of the maehin e,showing the feeding-table. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the plunger,with a portion of the rod thereof broken away. Fig. 8 is a verticalsectional view taken centrally through the plunger. Fig. 5) is anenlarged detail view,in side elevation, of the mechanism employed fortransmitting to a supplementary shaft a rocking motion from the maindriving-shaft of the machine. Fig. 10 a sectional view of a port-ion ofthe rolling-table, taken longitudinally through the same and showing therelative positions of the apron and messing-rollers when the bunch hasbeen removed from the groove or depression in. the rolling-table. Fig.11 is a like view of the table and the rocking arm carrying thepressing-rollers, showing the position. of the parts when the plungerenters the depression or groove in the table. Figs.

12 and 13 are detail views of the drivingshaft, the driving-l )andpulley, and the clutch for coupling the shaft and pulley. Fig. 14c is adetail top plan view of the springeontrolled pressure cap or plate fordepressing the rod and follower of the plunger when the-latter beginsits upward movement from the rollingtable after depositing the filler inthe groove in the table. Figs. 15 and 16 are detail views, in top planand side elevation, of one of the molds. Fig. 17 is an enlarged planvview. of the carriage detached from the machine, with a mold in positionthereon. Fig. 118 is a horizontal sectional view through the shell ofthe plunger 011 the line :1 so of l ig. 7; and Fig. 1!) is a transversesectional view taken through the feeding-table 52 on the line y y ofFig. l, with a mold in place thereon.

Referring to the drawings, in which like figures of reference denotecorresponding parts in all the figures, 1 designates the bedplate of mycigar-bunching i'nachine, upon which are erected vertical standards 2,that support the main table 3 of the machine, said bed-plate, the table,and standards being all firmly united or secured together in anywellknown manner. At one side of the standards 2 and table 3 are anotherpair of standards, 4- and 5, which are also bolted to thebed 1, and inthe upper ends of these standards 1 5 are socured bearin gs, in which isjournaled the main driving-shaft U of the machine. A drivingpulley, 7,is loosely mounted on this main driving-shaft 6, at one side of the maintable 3, over which passes a belt, 8, running from a line of shaft-ing,or a suitable motor for rotating the shaft (5 continuously in onedirection; and in order to stop and start the machine at will I providea clutch of the form more clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 13 of thedrawings. This clutch is operated by a suitable lever, (seen in Fig.(3;) but I do not deem it necessary to describe this clutch in detail,as it forms no part of my present invention.

On the inner end of the main driving-shaft (3 of the machine is secureda bevel gear-wheel, 9, which meshes with a similar wheel, 10, se curedto the lower extremity of a vertical powershaft, 11, which passesthrough the main table 3, rises for a suitable distance above the same,and is journaled at its ends in suitable bearings, the upper bearingbeing numbered 1 3, and is supported in a vertical frame, 1:1, fixed tothe main table 3 of the machine. The lower end of this verticalpowershaft 11 has fixed thereto a cam, 12, which is arranged immediatelyabove the upper face of the main table 3, as indicated in Figs. 2, 5,and 6, and to the upper end of this vertical shaft 11 is secured a cam,15, having in its periphery a continuous groove, 16 17, the part 17 ofthe groove beingarranged in a horizontal plane, while the part inclinesobliquely thereto, as indicated very clearly in Figs. 5 and 6. Both ofthese cams 12 and are fixed to the vertical shaft 1l,so as to rotate orturn therewith, and the cam 12 projects from one side of the shaft,while the oblique part '10 of the cam 15 is arranged on the reverse sideof saidsha'ft. (See Fig. 5.) The object of thus arranging the two camson the vertical powershaft 11 is to cause the cam 12 to force thecarriage out of line with an opening in the table 3 immediately.afterthe elevation of the plunger and over a discharge-opening in the maintable, so that the mold in the carriage will drop into saiddischarge-opening, and after such empty mold discharged the pushspringsforce the carriage into proper position again for receiving a new mold,as will presently appear. The vertically reciprocating 11 lungerconsists of a shell, 25, and a vertical rod, 18, which are firmly unitedtogether by bolts, (see Figs. 7 and 8,) and to the upper end of the rod18 is connected a friction-roller, 10, that fits in the groove in thecam 15, whereby as the cam rotates the plunger is reciprocatedvertically. This plunger is arranged in the vertical plane of atransverse slot or opening, 32, formed ata suitable point in the maintable 23 of the machine, at one side of the vertical power-shaft 11, andthis opening has its sides curved to assume, approximately, thelongitudinal contour of a cigarbunch. To permit the shell of the plungerto readily pass through this opening 32, and to retain the filler inproper shape with the leaves of tobacco in due alignment, the shell ofthe plunger is also shaped to assume the approximate shape of a bunch inhorizontalcross-sec tion, as indicated in Fig. 18 of the drawings. Thisshell is made hollow and of a suitable size to receive a single filler,and within the shell, in the upper part thereof, are fixed plates orheads 26 and 27, through which pass vertical rods 28 and 29, which serveto guide a vertically-reciprocatiug platen or follower, 30, that isarranged in the lower open. end of the shell 25, as shown in Fig. 8. Oneof these rods, 28, is shorter than the other rod, 29, and the short rodfixed in the shell, while the other longer rod, 2.), is extended abovethe shell, and is connected at its lower end to the follower or platen$30,110 automatically depress the latter when the plunger begins itsupward movement, to thereby positively eject the filler from the loweropen end of the shell of the plunger.

Secured to one side of. the vertical fixed frame 11 are two horizontal brackets or guides, 20 and 21, arranged one below the other, and havingsuitable aligned openings, through which the vertical rod 18 of theplunger is guided. To the lower bracket or guide, 21, of the frame 11 issecured a springcontrolled cap, 21; 2-1. (See Figs. 5 and 11.) Thesections or leaves 24: of this cap are hinged tog-caller by a transversepintle or shaft that is fitted in suitable lugs, 23, on the meeting endsof the leaves or sections, and around this pintle is placed a coiledspring, which serves to normally depress one of the sections or leaves.One section, 21-, is firmly secured to the bracket or guide 21,while theother section, 23, is arranged immediately over a vertical opening insaid bracket, through which .the upper end of the longer rod, 20, of theplunger passes, as seen in Fig. 5, whereby the leaf or section 23 isadapted to normally press upon the upper extremity of the rod 29 tooffer resistanceto the elevation IIO the plunger are formed a series ofincisions or scallops, 25, which are arranged at suitable regularintervals and extend vertically into the shell for a suitable distance,and when the plunger descends the spring-fingers 3S and 39, arrangedbelow the openings 31. and 32, are adapted to enter these incisions orscallops to more effectually force or press the filler into the shell ofthe plunger and to keep the filler in due alignment.

A flat plate, 31, is countersunk in the upper face of the main, table 3of the machine, immediately over the opening 32 thereof, and in thisflat plate is formed a similar opening, 31, that corresponds in size andshape to the opening 32 and aligns therewith. (See Fig. at.) At one sideof the openings 31. and are arranged spring-stops and 34:, which are secured in the plate 31, and extend a suitable distance above the facethereof, to take against one side of a mold when it aligns with theopenings 31. and 32, to prevent the mold from retrograde nnjlvement.These stops 33 and 254 are in the path of the molds when being conveyedfrom the feeding-table to the openin 31' and S2, and they are.inclinediu the direction that the molds travel to permit the latter toslide freely over the same, these stops yielding readily to the force orpressure of the molds and assuming their normal positions above theupper face of the plate Sl after the mold passes.

-Depending from the under side of the main table 3 are vertical guides35 and 3H, which are suitably fixed to the table, and are arranged onopposite sides of the vertical openings 31 and 32, for the plunger topass betweenthesame. lheseguidesareslotted nearly the entire length, andthrough the slots project the series of yielding fingers 39 and 39,which are hun on suitable pins or shafts, and are arranged immediatelybelow the table These two series of s in'ing-tingers project toward oneanother and alternate with each other, and they extend across the spacebetween the gnidcs and 313 in the path of the plunger, to enter theincisions in the shell thereof and press the tobacco well up into theshell, so that it will not become displaced and is kept in duealignment. These spring-lingers yield or give as the plunger descends,and they serve to hold the tobacco from falling upon the rolling-tablcand going to waste should it accidentally escape from the mold when itis in line with the openings 31 and 32, as is obvious.

In the upper face of the main table 3 of the machine is formed alongitudinal recess or groove, a], which extends the length of thetable, and is this recess is fitted-a reciprocating carriage, 40. (Shownin Fig. 17 This carriage is adapted to slide back and forth in thegroove or recess, in which it is guided in a direct line; and itconsists of two flat parallel side pieces, 42 and 43, which are unitedat an intermediate point of their length by a transverse bar, 44-. Tothe inner face of the parallel. sides of the carriage, at a shortdistance one side of the transverse bar 44, I secure two springs, l5 andi6, which have one end united to the carriage and project laterallytherefrom at their free ends, so as to hold the mold in the carriagewhen the latter is operated by the cam 12 and forced toward thedischarge-opening 72 in the table (See Figs. 1 and .lhese springs yieldor give when the mold is fed to the carriage, and

aft-er it passes the springs the latter spring outward and lie in frontof the mold to prevent the latter from being displaced and to insure themold moving with the carriage to the opening 72, where the empty molddrops from the carriage by gravity and falls through thedischargeopening 72 onto an inclined discharge-table '7 3, from whenceit slides upon a conveying-belt, 74, that carries the mold back to theoperators, to be filled by hand and again fed to the machine.

An arm or projection, 4:7, is secured to one of the sides of thecarriage, and extends laterally therefrom in the path of the cam 12 tobe struck by the latter during a part of each rotation thereof, and thusforce the carriage toward the opening 72, for the purpose above stated,and this carriage is returned to its normal position to receive themolds by means of push-springs to, which are coiled around guide-rods50, that are secured to the crossbar it of the carriage and passtlnroi'igh a fixed guide, 5'], at the rear of the table 3, as shown inFig. 2.

Depending from the under sideof the bed 1 of the machine are verticalhangers so and 57, which carry aligned bearings, in which is journaled arockshaft, 58, that extends at its ends beyond the bearings to carryarms 59 and 61, for purposes presently explained. 58 is rocked oroscillated by motion transmit ted from the continueusly-rotated maindriving-shaft 6 through the links 5 L, 55, and 60. (See Fig. 9.)

To one end of the main drivii'ig-shaft- 6 is seen red a crank, whichrotates continu ously therewith, and to the free end of this crank ispivoted one end of thelink 54, which has its opposite end pivoted to oneend of each link 55 and 60, the other end of the link being pivoted to afixed point on the bed l, as indicated in dotted linesin Fig. l. Thefree end of the link 0 is pivoted to the outer end of the arm 52'], andthe crank of the shaft 6 is shorter than thearm 59, whereby the armupper free end of said arm is bifurcated to provide two branches orprongs, 63,whieh are separated a suitable distance to embrace a IIO Thisshaft ceive a bunch rolling-table, 66. (Sec Figs. 5 and 6.) Thisrolling-table is supported on suitable standards, 63, which are fixed tothe table and the bed 1, and the upper face of the rolling-table iscurved, as shown in Figs. (3,10, and. 11. This table is provided with adeep depression or recess, (37, which is termed transversely therein andin line with the openings 31' and. 32 and in. the vertical'plane ofnuwcment of the plunger. (See Fig. (3.) Over this table is arranged therolling-apron (58, which is attached at its ends to the ends ot' thetable in any suitable manner, and this apron passes over a pair ofrollers, ('35, which are journaled in t-hebifurcated ends (32 of therocking-arm 61. These rollers are of uniform diameter and arranged sideby side, parallel with each other, and the ends of the apron are firstpassed over these rollers and then connected to the table,'as seen inFig. 11. A space of suitable width is provided between these rollers toreceive the bight in the apron and the tiller therein, when the saidrollers advance and traverse the rolling-table, as indi cated in Fig. 10of. the drawings. At each of the ends of the rolling-table is provided atrough or receptacle, 6!), into which the bunch, after it has beenrolled and pressed and the binder wrapped around the same, is depositedat the completion of the stroke of the rocking arm 61. Each trough orreceptacle is made of one or more pieces of metal, with an open upperside, and it is suitably secured to one end of the rolling-table U6,substantially flush therewith, and in proper position to reatter thebinder has been wrapped around the same.

At one side of. the openings 23] and 32 in the main table 3 of themachine is an inclined feeding-table, 52, which is suitably lixedinplace on the table and has its lower end terminating a short distanceone side of said openings in the table to properly deliver the molds 75to the carriage. These molds 75 are shown in detail in Figs. 15 and 16of the drawings, and they have a longitudinal opening, 7 6, formedtherein, which corresponds to the longitudinal contour of the bunch tobe formed. This opening extends through the mold so that it is open andtree for the plunger and tiller to pass therethrough, and the ends ofthe mold are reduced, as at 77, to adapt the same to slide in grooves orways 7 8, formed in the sides of the feeding-table 52, whereby the moldsare properly fed in correct position to the carriage.

Projecting beyond one end of the table 3, on the side of the opening 32on which the feeding-table is located, is another smaller table, 7 9,upon which the molds, after being properly tilled by hand, are depositedby a traveling belt, 7 O, which is suitably arranged to carry the moldsfrom the operators,who fill the molds by hand. The molds are of properdepth to contain enough tobacco to form a bunch of the proper size, andthe width and length of the opening therein is such as to regulate thesize of the bunch. Of course the shape and dimensions of the mold can bevaried to make cigars of different shapes and sizes by merelyconstructing the opening therein to conform to the desired shape.

The operation of my improved cigar-bunching machine is as follows: Themolds are filled with. tobacco to the desired depth and placed on thebelt 70, by which they are carried to the table 79 and depositedthereon. The attendant places the molds by hand on the feeding-table asrequired, down which they slide, and are properly presented one at atime to the carriage,when the latter is forced back toward the openings31 and 32 after having discharged an empty mold. The mold slides pastthe retaining-springs +15 and 46 on the carriage and the springs 33 and3% on the plate 31, these two sets of springs yielding to the passage ofthe mold and immediately returning to their normal positions to hold themold in line with the openings 31 and 32 and to prevent displacement ofthe mold when the plunger descends. As soon as the mold arrives inposition over the openings 31 and 32 the plunger descends and passesthrough the opening in the mold, the openings 31 and 32, between thegates or fingers 38 and 39, and carry the filler from the mold anddeposit it on the rolling-apron and in the depression 67 in therolling-table. As the plunger presses between the springpiessurefingers, the latter enter the incisions or scallops in the loweredge of the shell thereof, and thereby force the filler well up into theshell. As the plunger strikes the rolling-apron it presses it into thedepression in the rolling-table to thereby form the bight in the apron,as seen in'Figs. 10 and 11, and at the beginning of theupstroke of theplunger the cap 23 presses on the upper end of the rod 29 to hold itdown temporarily, and thus cause the platen or follower30 to positivelyeject the filler from the shell, after which the follower and red areelevated with the plunger to their normal positions. As

soon as the plunger is raised clear above the mold the cam 12 strikesthe arm or projection 47 011 the carriage and forces the latter and themold therein toward the opening 72, through which the mold falls ordrops by gravity when inline therewith, and descends upon an inclinedchute or board, 7 3, to the belt 7 at, from whence it is delivered tothe operators. After the plunger is elevated the rollers carried by therocking arms 61 advance over the surface of the rolling-table, and whenthe front one of the rollers 65 arrives over the depression or groove 67the bight in the apron is raised out of the depression, and as the armcontinues to advance the bight and bunch are forced into the spacebetween the two rollers 65. As these rollers are in contact with the topof the rolling-table, they operate to roll the bunch and wrap the binderaround the same, the binder having previously been placed on the apronand over the depression in the rolling-table prior to the descent of theplunger with the tiller. hen the rocking arm and the rollers 65 thereofarrive at the opposite end of the rolling-table from whence theystarted, the rollers pull. upon the apron and straighten out the bighttherein, so that the hunch is dischargr-al from the apron and drops intoone of the troughs, from whence it is removed by hand. The rocking armisnow returned to its normal position (shown in Fig. 1) to adjust theapron properly over the rolling-table to receive the next tiller carried[1' rom the succeeding mold by the plunger on its next downstroke, andthe operation repeated, a new mold being fed to the machine each timethe carriage is returned to its position in juxtaposition to theopenil'igs 3i and 332 by the push-springs.

Changes in the form and proportion of parts and details of constructioncan be made without departing from the spirit or sacri [icing theadvantages of my invention.

No claim is herein made to I the devices shown in a prior applicationfiled by me July 20, 1887, Serial No. 2-i4,805.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by nation of a main tablehaving an opening therein, as 32, a reciprocating carriage sliding onthe table and remaining normally at rest while in juxtaposition to theopening therein, an open mold independent of the carriage and adapted tobe fed thereto while the carriage is at rest, so that the mold alignswith the opening in the table, said mold being detachably connected tothe carriage to be automatically discharged therefrom at the limit ofmovement of the carriage away from the opening, avertically-reciprocating plunger adapted to pass through the mold andopening, and mechanism for moving the carriage and mold away from theopening to discharge the mold from the carriage, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a cigar-launching machine, the combination of a table having anopening therein, as 32, a reciprocating carriage workin on said table, afeeding-table, an open mold adapted to slide on the feeding-table andrest 011 the carriage in line with the opening in the table, andmechanism for moving the carriage to convey the mold away from theopening, sub stantially as described.

3. In a ciganbnnching machine, the combination of a table having anopening, 32, and a discharge-opcning, 72, at one side of said opening32, a reciprocating carriage, an open mold normally held by the carriageover the opening 32, a pl ungcr adapted to pass through the mold andopening 32, and mechanism for moving the carriage to convey the mold tothe discharge-opening 72, substantially as described.

4. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination of a main table havingan opening, 32, therein, a reciprocating carriage sliding on the maintable, an ind ependent open mold adapted to be placed in the carriage, arolling-table beneath the main table and having a transverse pocket ordepression therein arranged in line with the opening 32, an apronconnected to the rollin g-tabl e, a rocking arm having thepressnre-rollcrs, and a hollow plunger adapted to pass thrm'igh. thealigned mold and opening to receive the contents of the mold and depositthe same on the apron within the depression oi? the rolling-table,substantially as described.

5. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination of a main. tablehavingan opening, 32, a reciprocating carriage sliding on the table, anindependent open mold. adapted to be fed to the carriage when the latteris at rest, devices on the carriage for detacl'iably holding the moldthereon, a plunger, and mechanism for moving the carriage away from theopening 32 to discharge the mold at its limit of movement away from saidopening, substan tially as described.

'6. In a cigai bunching machine, the combination of a carriage havingthe retainingsprings on the opposing edges of the sides thereof, an openmold adapted to be placed in the carriage and be held in positiontherein by the springs, a plunger, and devices for reciprocating thecarriage, substantially as described.

7. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination of a main table havingan opening, 32, and a discharge-opening at one side thereof, areciprocating carriage sliding on the table and having theretaining-springs arranged to receive a mold between the same, anindependent open mold adapted to be fed to the carriage when the latteris at rest and to be held in line with the opening 32 by theretaining-springs, and devices for forcing the carriage away from theopening 32 to discharge the mold into the discharge opening, into whichit drops by gravity, substantially as de' scribed.

8. In a ciganbunching machine, the combination of a table having anopening therein, a plate fixed to the table over the opening and havingthe projecting stops and 34: at one side thereof, a carriage, a moldadapted to be placed in the carriage, a plunger, and mechanism forreciprocating the carriage,sub stantially as described.

9. In a cigar-bunching-machine, the com.- bination of a table having anopening therein, a carriage fitted to slide on the table, an open mold,devices for holding the mold in the carriage and in line with theopening in the table, the yielding stops 33 and 34, arranged at one sideof the opening in the table to prevent retrograde movement of the mold,and a plunger, substantially as described.

10. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination of a table having anopening therein, a carriage, a mold, a reciprocating plunger adapted topass through the mold and opening in the table, and the spring-fingerssup IIO ported below the table and arranged across the opening thereinto enter the plunger as it descends and force the filler therein,substantially as described.

11. In a cigar-biniching machine, the combination of a table having anopening therein, a carriage, an open mold, a reciprocating plungerhaving an open-bottom shell at its lower end, and a series of fingerssupported on the table below the opening therein and arranged across thelatter in the path of the plunger, the two series of fingers beingalternately arranged with respect to each other and carried byindependent supports on opposite sides of the opening, substantially asdescribed.

In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination of a table havinganopeningtherein, a carriage, an open mold, a reciprocating plungerprovided at its lower end with a shell having vertical incisions aroundits edges, and a series of lingers arranged across the opening in thetable and adapted to enter the incisions in the shell the plungerdescends, substantially as described.

13. In a cigar-bunchingmachine, a reciproeating plunger having a shellat its lower end, said shell being shaped to conform substantially tothe longitudinal contour of a bunch and having the vertical incisions atits lower edge, substantially as described.

15L. In a cigar-bunehingmachine, areciproeating plunger having anopen-bottom shell formed with vertical. incisions which extend upwardlyfrom the open end thereof, substantially as described.

15. In a cigar-bunehing machine, the combination of atable having anopeningtherein, the depending slotted guides fixed to the tableonopposite sides of said opening, the springlingers fitting in the slotsof said guides and extending across the opening, a carriage, an openmold, and a plunger, substantially as described.

1U. In a cigar bunching machine, the eombination of a table having anopening, 32, and a discharge opening, 72, at one side thereof, areciprocating carriage, an open mold adapted to be held in the carriage,an inclined feeding-table at one side of the opening 32, upon which themolds are placed, a discharge table or chute, 7 3, on the opposite sideof said opening and below the dischargeopening, and mechanism forreciprocatingthe carriage, substantially as described.

17. In a cigar-lu'inching machine, the combination of a table having theopenings 2-32 and 72, a reciprocating carriage having alaterallyextended projection at one side, an open mold adapted to enterthe carriage, a vertical shaft having a cam, 12, for striking theprojection on the carriage to force the latter away from the opening 32,a plunger operated by a cam at the upper end of the vertical shaft, andsprings for returning the carriage in juxtaposition to the opening 32after the empty mold has been discharged the carriage for holding themold in position therein while being conveyed from the opening 32 to thedischarge -opening 72, and de vices for moving the carriage and moldover the discharge opening 72, through which opening the empty moldfalls by gravity when in line therewith,substantially as de scribed.

l9. In a cigar-launching machine, the combination of a main tablehavingan opening, 32, therein, a stationary rollin g-table beneath the maintable and having a transverse depression or pocket arranged in line withthe opening, a reciprocating carriage having an open mold, an apronconnected to the rolling-table, a rocking arm having two spacedpressurerollers, over which the apron passes, a hollow plunger adaptedto pass through the mold and opening 32 to receive the contents of themold,

and a movable platen housed within the hollow plunger and adapted topositively eject the contents of the plunger when the latter enters thetransversedepression of the rollingtable, substantially as described.

20. In a cigar-bunchin g machine, the combination, with the main tablehaving an open in therein, the rolling-table having an apron, a carriageearryin g an open mold, and a rockin g arm provided with thepressure-rollers, of a hollow reciprocatin plunger, a movable platen.housed within the plunger, and a rod connected to the platen andcontrolled by suitable deviees to depress the platen as the plungerrises and positively eject the contents of the same, substantially asdescribed.

2']. In a cigar-bunehing machine, the combination of. the main androlling tables, the main table having a vertical opening therein, acarriage having an open mold on the main table, an apron on therolling-table, a rocking arm having pressure-rollers, and a hollowplunger having a movable follower or platen therein for positivelyejecting the filler therefrom upon the rolling-apron, substantially asdescribed.

22. In a ei gar-bu n ch in g maehin e, the combination, with a maintable having an opening therein, a carriage, an open mold, arolling-tafor retarding the upward movement of the rod and platen whenthe plunger is elevated to thereby depress the platen upon the tobaccobelow the sameand positively eject it from the plunger, substantially asdescribed.

23. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination of a hollowreciprocating plunger having an open lower end, a fixed guide in theplunger, a movable platen housed thm'ein, a rod connected to the platen,and a spring-cap secured to the machine and normally pressing on the rodto retard the upward movement thereof and depress the platen in theplunger as the latter begins its upward movement, substantially asdescribed.

24:. In a cigar-bunehin g n'iaehine, the combination of a table, 3,having an opening therein, a rolling-table provided with a transversedepression in line with the opening, an apron connected at its ends tothe rolling-table, a rocking arm carrying a pair of spaced presserrollswhich are adapted to ride on the rollingtable beneath the apron, and aplunger, substantially as described.

25. In a cigar-bunchin g machine, the eombi- JAMES EDlVARD SMITH.

\Vitnesses:

R. K. ELLIOTT, FRANCIS X. QUINLAN.

